Jeff Monson has officially closed the book on one of MMA’s wildest careers. After nearly 30 years, 93 professional fights, and a journey that spanned every corner of the globe, the 54-year-old heavyweight announced his retirement in the country he now calls home — Russia.
His last fight wasn’t under bright UFC lights, but at the Yuri Gagarin Sports Palace in Yevpatoria City, headlining the Black Sea Cup. Matched with 35-year-old bare-knuckle boxer Maxim Shcherbakov, Monson went to his bread and butter — takedowns and top control. The gritty scrap ended in a draw, but afterward, “The Snowman” accepted a ceremonial belt and spoke entirely in Russian, proof of how deeply he’s rooted himself in his adopted country.
Monson’s MMA story is hard to duplicate. He debuted in 1997, stormed through the grappling scene, and racked up a 16-fight win streak that earned him a UFC title shot against Tim Sylvia at UFC 65 (Sylvia vs. Monson). He came up short that night, but the five-round war etched his name into heavyweight history.
He didn’t slow down after that loss. Monson went back to the grind — beating Roy Nelson (Monson vs. Nelson), jumping to Strikeforce to fight Daniel Cormier (Cormier vs. Monson), then flying to Moscow to take on the legendary Fedor Emelianenko (Emelianenko vs. Monson). Few fighters racked up that kind of résumé.
The later chapters of his career were just as unpredictable. He fought on tiny shows and big cards, and by the end, he wasn’t just competing in Russia — he was living there full-time. In 2023, he even renounced his U.S. citizenship, sparking headlines but underscoring just how all-in he’d gone on this next stage of life.
Love him or hate him, Jeff Monson retires with one of MMA’s most unique legacies: 93 pro fights, world-class grappling credentials, and a career defined by grit, stubbornness, and constant movement across the fight map.
